Benjamin named interim director for Peabody Awards named

The University of Georgia has named associate telecommunications professor Louise Benjamin interim director for the George Foster Peabody Awards to replace Barry L. Sherman, who died May 2.

After Sherman's death, Benjamin stepped forward as associate director, assisting in bringing the May 22 Peabody Awards Luncheon to completion. She will continue in this position while a national search for a new Peabody director is conducted.

Sherman, 47, died in Athens after collapsing while playing basketball. He had served as director of the Peabody Awards since 1991.

The Peabody Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in broadcasting and cable, are housed at UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The college has administered the Peabody Awards program since its creation in 1940.

''We are delighted that Dr. Benjamin has agreed to serve in this capacity,'' Alison Alexander, head of the department of telecommunications, said in a statement released by the university. ''She brings administrative experience with the Peabody Awards, knowledge of the Peabody Board, a national reputation in historical media research, and excellent teaching to this position.''

Benjamin received a doctorate from the University of Iowa. She has worked as producer, writer and director for WHO-TV, Des Moines, and as a free-lance producer/director.

Her research interests include communication history, media law, broadcast news and telecommunication and broadcast policy. She has taught classes in telecommunication history, media law, broadcast advertising, broadcast writing and electronic field production.